Date of Award

8-20-2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

History

First Advisor

Kristin Mann

Abstract

The 4 April, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. The natural violence and chaos has been researched briefly thanks to Dr. King scholars and Clay Risen. The effects on Arkansas are virtually unknown. One prominent moment that is remembered was the memorial service on the Arkansas State Capitol steps with Governor Winthrop Rockefeller. Compared to parts of the nation, Arkansas was relatively calm in the aftermath of the assassination. Even though there were numerous shootings and fires set around the state there were no deaths in Arkansas, but over two dozen arrests were made. The violent situations were stifled by swift actions made by the governor to dispatch State Police and National Guards units to the problem areas. Nonviolent demonstrations also occurred throughout the state in the forms of marches and services. Rockefeller worked with the leaders of the black community and department officials for the Arkansas State government to eradicate the restlessness in the state which kept racial tensions calm.

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